On Friday 9 February the Rural Business Network, as part of EHDC's Grow Up! programme, welcomed businesses to the Petersfield Museum to discuss their sustainability journey and the help available to them.
Both PeCAN (the Petersfield Climate Action Network) and Petersfield Town Council were on hand to provide information about local grants and projects available from their organisations and from those they work with, such as the South Downs National Park.
Cllr Crissey, the Mayor of Petersfield, explained how the town council's business grant could help existing businesses to diversify, whilst Greg Ford from PeCAN discussed how they and Green South Downs could help businesses assess their carbon footprint and then take action to change it. PeCAN highlighted that sustainable businesses were 3 per cent more profitable and had a lower staff turnover.
Harriet Coombs, Sustainable Growth Officer at East Hampshire District Council, advised businesses of the grants available to them through the district council, and those from partner organisations which could help with electric vehicle charging points, new boilers for small businesses and new vehicles for businesses using the A3 through Surrey.
For more information about any of these schemes, or for business advice generally please contact business@easthants.gov.uk or visit Business East Hants.
The businesses at the event were happy to share their experiences and recommendations, and were happy to support and mentor any businesses looking to join them on the journey to a more sustainable future.
The National Park's 'Our South Downs' network is looking for new business members and if you register before 29 February 2024 you could be in with a chance to WIN a complimentary spot on the esteemed Green South Downs Accreditation Programme (valued up to £750) and a delightful hamper filled with locally sourced treasures worth over £100. Terms and conditions apply.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UKSPF
This project is part of the Grow Up programme, funded by the UK government through the UKSPF. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.